05 Nov Mayweather out of retirement and to fight on Rizin FF

Floyd Mayweather is once more out of retirement and again will not face a boxer.

Mayweather (50-0) appeared in Japan last night with Japanese MMA promotion Rizin Fighting Federation. In the press conference, it was announced Mayweather would face Tenshin Nasukawa, a 27-0 kickboxer and 4-0 MMA fighter.

As yet it’s not known what format the fight will take place in, all that was said was it would be under ‘special rules’.

The event is due to take place on the traditional combat show date, New Year’s Eve. Pride, K-1 and several boxing promotions have held events on this date in the past, while Rizin has held events the past couple of years on this date.

Mayweather last competed last year against MMA superstar Conor McGregor, stopping McGregor in the 10th round under boxing rules. Lately, Mayweather has suggested he would face UFC lightweight champion Khabib Nurmagomedov, however, Dana White, the UFC president said this would not happen under boxing rules.

Rizin promoter Nobuyuki Sakakibara gave an explanation on the deal, speaking through a translator, “I think my shortest answer to that is the fact that now we are aligned to achieve something together and that is hitting a new challenge, taking a step forward to whatever wonderful thing that we can create together,” Sakakibara said.

Mayweather is looking forward to spending more time in Japan and also the prospect of promoting his fighters there.

“Rizin has done a remarkable job with the fighters,” Mayweather said. “I look forward to giving you guys entertainment come December 31, but my relationship with Rizin, it doesn’t stop just here. I look forward to taking this worldwide.”

Nasukawa is looking forward to facing the undefeated boxer.

“I would probably say that this is my biggest event in life, so far,” Nasukawa said, speaking through a translator. “And I’m very happy that this is going to materialize.”

“Nobody has defeated my opponent in the past, and I would like to be the man who makes history. My punch can change the history and I will show that to you, so please stay tuned.”